UB CAT

The University at Buffalo Center for Advanced Biomedical and
Bioengineering Technology (UB CAT) operates within the CBLS,
providing opportunity and infrastructure linking academic research
with commercial interests. UB CAT facilitates commercialization of
life sciences inventions that grow the New York State economy.

For more information about how UB CAT can help your business, please contact:

Karen M. Utz

Director, Program Administration
Office of Economic Development
716.881.7588kmutz@buffalo.edu

On this page:

Providing high-tech companies with a competitive edge

UB CAT makes high-value connections between New York State
businesses and R&D resources and expertise available through
the University at Buffalo — one of the world’s top
200 universities. Companies that have a new or improved product
line can use UB CAT for product development, optimization or
design, testing, validation and quality control, or even clinical
trials.

Who should apply?

The UB CAT project application is open to any company
representative and researcher who meet the project
requirements.

Company representatives — If you have a potential
project, please contact us directly to facilitate introductions
with appropriate University at Buffalo Principal
Investigators, if needed

Researchers — If you have a potential project and a
target New York State company, please contact us directly to
facilitate engagement with the UB CAT program

To learn more about the process and whether your project is eligible, please contact:

Karen M. Utz

Director, Program Administration
Office of Economic Development
716.881.7588kmutz@buffalo.edu

Project applications

The mission of the UB CAT is to drive growth of firms through
new and improved products using biomedical and bioengineering
technologies. UB CAT provides project cost-share support for
R&D activities involving a company and a UB researcher with
clear project deliverables that have significant potential for
economic impact. Annually, local companies receive on average
$500,000 through UB CAT to assist them in developing new life
sciences technology. Funding is based on the following
criteria:

Scope of the UB CAT focus area in life sciences

Scientific, technical and innovative merit with a market
opportunity

Commitment of a University at Buffalo Principal
Investigator*

New York State based company sponsorship with available
matching funds**

Demonstrated need for support of project

Contains appropriate budget items within UB CAT guidelines

Ability to successfully complete project within the fiscal year
starting July 1 and ending June 30 annually

**UB CAT matching ratio currently is $1.00 CAT to $1.00 company
match for small companies (< 100 employees) and $1.00 CAT
to $2.00 company match for large companies (> 100 employees). A
typical CAT contribution is $10,000 to $50,000, but may be larger
or smaller depending on funding availability and the needs of the
project.

***Economic impact resulting from a project is defined as an
increase in company sponsor revenues (federal, non-government,
product-based), cost savings to company, new jobs created, jobs
saved, capital expenditures by company sponsor, intellectual
property development, new company start-up opportunity or company
relocation/expansion in New York State.

Process overview

Application

The annual request for proposals is issued in March for the
following fiscal year. Potential projects can also be received on a
rolling basis throughout the year given availability of funds. We
recommend you attend an information session or speak directly with
a UB Business Development Executive to discuss your project idea.
Sign up for an info session below:

Applications received by UB CAT are subject to approval by
the UB CAT Industrial Advisory Board (PDF). This board
consists of professionals in the life sciences industry who are
uniquely qualified to evaluate projects and comment on
appropriateness of work being conducted through the UB CAT funding
vehicle.

Award announcements

Award announcements will be made directly to the applicant prior
to the project’s execution. Awards issued in response to
proposals submitted no later than April 24, 2015, will be
announced prior to July 1, 2015, pending availability of
funding and NYSTAR approval. Award announcements for applications
received on a rolling basis are announced after review by the UB
CAT Industrial Advisory Board.

Post-award

Upon receiving project approval by UB CAT, a company sponsor
will enter into a contracting period followed by account setup and
project initiation. Principal Investigators are required to file
Sponsored Project approval paperwork with the appropriate
department leadership and Sponsored Programs to initiate account
setup. Reporting of economic impact is required for a minimum of
five years for all company sponsors following completion of a UB
CAT project.

UB CAT budget guidelines

UB CAT cost-sharing support is awarded on an annual basis. Both
UB CAT funds and the matching funds must be expended by the close
of the university fiscal year, June 30, 2016.

UB CAT cost-sharing support can be used to cover expenses
associated with university personnel and for purchasing of
supplies, materials, testing, or other contracted services and
equipment related to the project.

Overhead costs for UB CAT projects is limited to 15% of salary
and fringe benefits for university personnel

Equipment purchased (item > $5,000) by any project funds (UB
CAT or company sponsor) is considered property of UB CAT and
eligible for use in future projects. Equipment purchases must
follow university property policies and NYSTAR program
policies.

Basic research or research projects that do not receive
matching funds support from a company

Costs associated with employees of the sponsor company

Reimbursement to sponsor company for any expenses the sponsor
has already paid

About UB CAT

UB CAT is one of the Centers
for Advanced Technology across New York State
supporting university-industry collaboration in research, education
and technology transfer with a strong focus on helping businesses
gain a technological edge on their competition. The center operates
under the guidance of NYSTAR.

Past winners

Highlights for 2013 – 2014 included the development of
a more sensitive and specific test
for Sjögren syndrome, an autoimmune disease in which
white blood cells attack the glands that produce tears and saliva,
by Immco Diagnostics, Inc.

A driving force for economic development

UB CAT is accelerating the rise of one of Buffalo
Niagara’s strategic growth sectors by supporting the launch
of new companies, expansion of existing firms, and attraction of
firms new to New York State. In 2014 alone, UB CAT’s
engagement with firms yielded nearly $68 in economic impact for
each $1 spent by the program, through growth in these companies. As
a result, Western New York businesses were able to increase
revenues, attract private and public investment, and create new
jobs in our community.